Thaindian News

Wellington, Feb 2 (IANS) The vicious and fatal stabbing of Indian taxi driver Hiren Mohini in New Zealand’s Auckland city would shock “even those from the criminal community”, a police official said Tuesday as 40 police officials hunted for the assailant.
Auckland taxi driver Hiren Mohini, 39, was killed early Sunday. Mohini’s taxi collided with a tree in Mount Eden at about 1.20 a.m. after he was allegedly stabbed by a passenger.

Detective Senior Sergeant Hywel Jones described the attack as “particularly vicious” and “frenzied”, New Zealand Herald reported Tuesday.

“I think this would shock anybody, even those from the criminal community,” he was quoted as saying.

He observed that the assailant would have been covered in blood “to some extent” and acting unusually.

“We are determined to solve this murder, and we will.”

He exhorted local residents to check their bins and sheds in case the assailant had taken anything or left anything.

“Clothing may have gone missing off clothes lines. If there’s anything that may be of interest to police then my investigation team will be keen to hear,” Jones said.

He said the post mortem examination showed Mohini died of several stab wounds and forensic experts were examining a knife at the scene.

Police were also examining security footage.

Taxi Federation executive director Tim Reddish said they were asking members to make donations for Mohini’s family.

“An appeal will go out to the taxi industry asking member companies and drivers to contribute.”

He stated that some of Mohini’s extended family were going to come from India and the funeral may take place later this week.